What the Wild Replied: Poems from Human Nature

by Becky Hemsley

What the Wild Replied is the second poetry collection from Becky Hemsley, author of popular poem 'Breathe' which featured in her first book 'Talking to the Wild'.
What the Wild Replied takes us through the four seasons from the perspective of human nature. It looks at how we navigate our own winters and embrace our own summers, how we let go during our own autumns and seize the opportunities of our own springtime. It includes poems of hope, healing and help. Designed as a manual for our soul in every season - and every stage - of our life, What the Wild Replied has one main theme; to help us love, understand, forgive and be kind to ourselves and to others. Life can be difficult and overwhelming sometimes, but What the Wild Replied reminds us that we've got this. We are enough.

Genres: Poetry

182 pages, Paperback

Published September 29, 2022

Reviews

[Fern A]

An interesting book of uplifting poetry. Some of the poems really stood out and I expect with each reading something different will seem the most relevant and significant to the reader. Good for dipping in and out of.

[Jacqueline]

I am human, hear me roar!

I absolutely love this collection of fierce, compassionate, and empowering poems from Becky Hemsley. They have already sustained me through some challenging times and I'm quite sure that they will become good friends. I have also read occasional poems to friends facing tough goings on and they have truly helped them turn their day around. What more could anyone ask for?I

That said, I find the sing songiness of the poems a tiny bit repetitive, but that is more than made up for by their content, which is both reassuringly familiar and wonderfully surprising. The deep heartedness of these poems will stay with me for a long time.

[Tanya Hughes]

Such loveliness, found on a cool Alaskan winter Sunday. Perfect for down cocooning with a cup of peppermint tea before the work week begins anew.


“What if the mermaids are all of the women
Cast overboard ‘cause of old superstition
Drowning beneath the waves, gasping for breath
Then forging a tail with the strength they have left?

And what if the dragons, with their breath ablaze
Were once little lizards all thrown to the flames
Choking on smoke and then swallowing flares
Then rising up, claiming that power as theirs?

And maybe the vampires favour the night
‘Cause they’ve been kept in the dark most of their lives
Starved of companions, affection and love
‘Til they have no choice but to feed on our blood

Yes, what if these creatures of magic and myth
Are those who’ve known darkness but chosen to live
Chosen to breathe and to rise and survive
To harness adversity, hoping they’ll thrive?

And what if you too have been thrown to the waves,
Befriended the night and encountered the flames
And so you’ve assumed that you’re destined to burn,
To drown in the darkness -

But what if you learned…

That maybe your story is not over yet
That there are still pages that need to be read
Pages of oceans that you’re yet to swim,
Fiery chapters for you to breathe in

Lines built on words that are so full of light
Of such warmth and strength, they inspire you to write
And what if you choose now to pick up a pen
And write through the night ‘til you come to the end?

And what if you read it back?
Well, then you’ll find
That your story has always held magic inside”

[Cora Cevita]

This one was even better than her last. I sobbed while reasing Goodbye and Fairytale, and sadly related to I'm Fine. I am also sharing Man Up with all of my guy friends, and when I become a teacher, I will read Sticks and Stones ro my students. It has a valuable lesson. If you liked Talking to the Wild you will not be disappointed!
Now, princess, go and save yourself 👑

[Sandi]

I really enjoyed reading these at night before bed. I didn't find the poems quite as good as the first book, or maybe I just related to the poems in the first one more. "Breathe" will forever be my favorite of all her poems. Overall, it was still really enjoyable.

[Al Swackhammer]

Brilliant- just Brilliant!

I read Breath after seeing it in animation on Facebook (I think). Now I have more to search for and keep to read over and over again. Thank you Becky for being brave enough to share.

[Kathleen Newton]

I didn't resonate with this one as much as Talking to the Wild, but I sure made a lot of highlights! These poems really dissect the human experience and hold it up to the natural world as in a mirror. It's beautiful.

[Peter Harris]

Becky Hemsley has such easily approachable poems, they read with an almost lullaby-like quality, with a reliable flow and a gentle bounce. And she has really mastered the art of making each poem land with purpose and meaning.

Definitely worth a read for poetry beginners to experts

[Sophie Bowns]

Loved it!

I particularly loved Fearless and The Spider and the Fly. This was a superb poetry collection. It’s refreshing to finally find a poetry book as good as this!

[Bliss R]

Another lovely collection of poems by Becky Hemsley, I enjoyed the first book more although there are some great little gems in this one too that enable reflection.

[Mary]

I love this book! I wish everyone could read it. It says so much. I’m eating her other one now. It is also amazing. I’d give them both 10 stars!

[Margie]

I don’t enjoy every single poem; some are painful. Overall, I really like these poems about us human beings.

[Shalyce]

Some gems.

A good deal of repetition of ideas.

The formatting was not great on the kindle.

[Chris]

Empowering, thoughtful poems about supporting yourself and others emotionally.

[Lia Girard]

Make some space for yourself to snuggle into this book and set your soul free.

[Becky]

A short collection of poems speaking to situations we found ourselves in life. An enjoyable read.

[Lynnette Siler]

I never get tired of this beautiful poet. She moves me daily.